[:en]SCRIPTURE: NEHAMIAH 4
“Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as a plunder in a land of captivity” (Nehemiah 4:4)
“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes” (Nehemiah 4:14)
“Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” (Nehemiah 4:20)
OPPOSITION TO THE REBUILDING (vs. 1-21)
When the Israelites began rebuilding the wall, many oppositions arose and the oppositores used different kinds of tactics to stop their work:
- Ridicule (vs. 1-6)- Sanballat, a government official in Samaria, Tobiah, the Ammonite and Geshen, an Arabia mocked and despised the Jews. But Nehemiah did not render any dispute with them. Instead, he prayed to God and continued their work with all their hearts.
- Force (vs. 8-9) – They used force to fight against them but Nehemiah prayed to God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
- Fear (vs. 10-14) – When the strength of the laborers was going out, the enemies started a rumor that they would suddenly invade Jerusalem. Nehemiah stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places and post them by families with their swords, spears and bows. He reminded them that the Lord is great and awesome, who will fight for them. So, they returned to the wall, each to his own work.
SUMMARY:
When you are doing God’s work, expect oppositions and be ready to face it. The enemy wants to discourage you by making you think that your work is unimportant, that it is not worth it, so that you may quit. If you still continue on, the enemy will use threat to frightened you. He will also use fear to stop you. The best weapon against the enemy is to watch and pray. God’s goodness can encourage you. His faithfulness will strengthen you. And His greatness will overcome your fear. Stay on the job and experience God’s mighty power.[:]